Throughout the 1960s and '70s, despite having the technology to land men on the moon, some of our lighthouses were still operated by oil, not only for the main navigation light, but also in the keepers' living quarters. With some of the offshore stations lacking even the basic facilities of running water, a bathroom or heating life onboard was, to say the least, pretty basic. The author's story begins in 1966 - a time when oil lights were rotated by a hand-wound clockwork mechanism and keepers handled explosive fog signals. Little did the author realize that he would witness, and become part of, a new technological age that would sweep through the industry. Unmanned lighthouses being operated by remote control via telemetry links to a computer and satellite information provided by GPS. Travelling extensively around the coasts of England, Wales and the Channel Islands, his 22 postings varied from offshore lighthouses, such as the famous Needles Rock at the Isle of Wight, where the men were confined to just a handful of circular rooms, to those located on beautiful islands such as Lundy in the Bristol Channel where the accommodation was more spacious. Due to their isolation, lighthouses and their keepers were in an advantageous position to assist the Coastguard and rescue services and the author describes how he became involved in two hazardous rescue operations for which he was awarded the Royal Humane Society bronze medal. With the onset of automation, it was frequently necessary for keepers to share their already-cramped living space with the contractors who installed the specialised equipment that would ultimately result in their redundancy. Although the introduction of helicopters was initially a godsend in overcoming late reliefs, it proved to be the nail in the coffin for the men of the service, as they offered virtually all-weather access. "An Illuminating Experience" tells the fascinating story of a way of life that has become a part of our maritime heritage.

The Cromford Canal was a bold undertaking, linking the Derwent and Upper Erewash valleys to the main canal system of England. Collieries, ironworks, mills, limestone and gritstone quarries all flourished alongside it. Although penetrating the southern part of the Peak District, William Jessop's engineering genius ensured that the canal passed thirteen miles through this hilly terrain without a single lock. As a result there is some spectacular scenery in the upper reaches as it contours along the steep side of the Derwent valley. Today, the historical importance of the Cromford Canal has been recognised by the inclusion of its top section in the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site - the only canal in the UK to gain such an accolade.

This report discusses the accident in which a 5-ton spud (mooring shaft) unintentionally released from the uninspected construction barge Athena 106 and struck a natural gas pipeline buried in West Cote Blanche Bay, Louisiana. The Athena 106 and another barge were both being pushed by the towing vessel Miss Megan. The gas ignited and created a fireball that engulfed the Miss Megan and both barges. Five people were killed and two survived; one barge worker was officially listed as missing as of the report date. Damages were estimated at $150,000 for the Athena 106 and $650,000 for the Miss Megan. The estimated value of the released natural gas was $6,800; replacing the ruptured pipeline cost an estimated $800,000. The National Transportation Safety Board identified safety issues during its accident investigation and made recommendations to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, Athena Construction (Athena 106 owner/operator), and Central Boat Rentals (Miss Megan owner/operator).

Lawrence Beesley, a British schoolteacher, was a second-class passenger on the "Titanic" when it hit an iceberg and sank in two and a half hours. This is Beesley's eyewitness account, written just weeks after the sinking, of his voyage on the "Titanic," the collision with the iceberg, his hours in Lifeboat 13, and his rescue by the "Carpathia." A classic account of the story of "Titanic." With 6 pages of photos.

Plug Nickel is a collection of columns written by author Joel Thurtell about the trials and tribulations of restoring a wooden Lightning sailboat. The "boat" was actually a mold used to make fiberglass boats in the 1960s through 1980s, but it just happened that the mold was the last wooden Lightning sailboat made by boat builder Nickels & Holman. hence the name. It was a male mold, and male molds are nicknamed "plugs." Hence the name, "Plug Nickel." The columns were originally published in the Lightning "Flashes," a publication of the International Lightning Class Association. The essays deal with the how-to of restoring wooden boats, the psychology and philosophy of collecting and fixing antique and the problem of time spent away from family because of an obsession. The book emphasizes trying to restore a boat economically, or "on a shoestring.' It's important to note that the author, Joel Thurtell, was a newspaper reporter and not a trained woodworker. Much of his how-to information is spiced with his own take on how to make things work on a sailboat when the fixer is a layman with no special boatbuilding training.

An authentic account of the Titanic's disaster with mesmerizing first-hand account of survivors.***** "He led Mrs. Astor to the side of the ship and helped her to the life-boat to which she had been assigned. I saw that she was prostrated and said she would remain and take her chances with him, but Colonel Astor quietly insisted and tried to reassure her in a few words. As she took her place in the boat her eyes were fixed upon him. Colonel Astor smiled, touched his cap, and when the boat moved safely away from the ship's side he turned back to his place among the men." ***** "I will not leave my husband," said Mrs. Isidor Straus. "We are old; we can best die together," and she turned from those who would have forced her into one of the boats and clung to the man who had been the partner of her joys and sorrows. Thus they stood hand in hand and heart to heart, comforting each other until the sea claimed them, united in death as they had been through a long life. *****

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

With A Review Of The Case Of The Antelope.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

HMS Eagle was already old when war was declared in September 1939 and her new Swordfish biplanes were soon flying escort to vital Australian troop convoys in the wastes of the Indian Ocean. This is a day-by-day account of her battles and actions as seen through the eyes of her former crew members.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

A unique keepsake with 32 color photographs of U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, CVN-75, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Ideal for anyone who loves the navy, naval history, naval aviation, or Harry S. Truman. Includes 3 full-page photographs of 10-foot-long, seaworthy LEGO sculpture of TRUMAN by LEGO artist Malle Hawking.

This report discusses the fire that destroyed the small passenger vessel Express Shuttle II. From its investigation of this accident, the National Transportation Safety Board identified safety issues in the following areas: preventive maintenance, crew response to fire emergency, and fire detection systems. NTSB recommendations are included.

The World's Best Sailboats has become the most cherished and respected illustrated sailing book of all time. Its unique format includes over 400 spectacular color photographs by the world's leading nautical photographers coupled with astutely presented technical information on the best and most beautiful sailboats manufactured. Mate's insistence on uncompromising quality and his always engaging, entertaining style make this a timeless work and must-reading for anyone interested in sailboats. Its encyclopedic scope covering all aspects of sailboat design and construction, gleaned from personal visits to the world's best boatyards and interviews with the leading builders and designers, gives us not only a feast for the eyes and the stuff of dreams but also a thorough education. Mate visited the world's best boat builders from Finland to Italy, from Maine to California, and in his book evaluates and describes the sailboats of the nineteen best yards. The text is full of technical information on design and construction of available boats, while the magnificent color photos celebrate the beauty of sailboats and fine craftsmanship. His writing, as always is both informative and entertaining."

This work touches on the specialized world of wooden-ship building, looking at the endless variations of techniques from country to country, region to region, and over the course of history.

COMDTPUB P3120.17A. August 2006. Assists Coast Guard personnel in response to oil spills, search and rescue operations and other emergency situations.